Invoke the sea voyager in you for your next holiday and take the unconventional way to view magnificent destinations. Leave the hassle of booking hotels and tours behind and experience the convenience of an all-inclusive cruise package. This is your chance to view incredible destinations from an offshore vantage point from the comfort of an elegant ship before exploring them up close after docking at the port. A cruise holiday is so much more fun than enduring long and tiring flight journeys to multiple destinations when a cruise ship comprising a lip-smacking assortment of food and amazing entertainment is at your service. If you are in Abu Dhabi and eager to explore the UAE on a stylish cruise line, here are 5 Abu Dhabi cruise holidays to check out.
Mini Sea Escapes: Middle Eastern Cruises from Abu Dhabi
Not interested in spending days at sea, but would like to experience a cruise with all the comforts and amenities of a colossal ship? These short trips, ranging from a few days to a week, are ideal for exploring Arabia on short Persian Gulf journeys.
Costa Cruise - 2 Nights Abu Dhabi to Dubai Cruise
(Perfect for Couples and Families)
Embark on a comprehensive yet compact cruise journey covering the best two emirates of the UAE - Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Among various Abu Dhabi cruises, Costa Cruise is one of the pioneering cruise holiday providers offering compact yet enriching UAE cruise holidays. The fabulously grand Costa Smeralda sets sail in 2025 for 4 days taking you through the route of Persian Gulf from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. Here’s your chance to enjoy the Italian lifestyle and cuisine onboard this opulent fleet fitted with spacious cabins and facilities suited for modern-day living and comfort. You can also consider planning a romantic vacation and sweep your beloved off to a serene Arabian sea sojourn onboard Costa Smeralda on Valentine’s Day departure in 2025. Whether you experience your voyage with your beloved or your whole family, it will be one of the best moments of your Arabian experience sprinkled with the essence of Dolce Vita life.
Departures: January and February 2025
Celestyal Cruise - 3 Nights Abu Dhabi and Dubai Cruise
(Ideal for First-Time Cruise Vacationers)
Another Cruise that departs from Abu Dhabi and concludes its journey in Dubai, the Celestyal Cruise holiday takes you on a 4-day short sail through the Persian Gulf to Doha and Bahrain before returning to Dubai. On board the Celestyal Journey, you get to stay in spacious sea-facing rooms, dine and lounge in 7 restaurants and 8 bars, explore wellness and be entertained with world-class performances and more. This is one of the cruises from Abu Dhabi perfect for first-time cruise vacationers seeking a luxurious experience, featuring captivating entertainment, stylish amenities, and the opportunity to explore the Arabian region's diverse cultural attractions.
Departures: December 2024 and January 2025
MSC -7 Nights Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar Cruise
(For Luxury opulence and Formula One Fans)
Explore the vibrant destination of Qatar along with UAE’s top cosmopolitan cities with MSC cruise. Onboard MSC Euribia, bask in the sunny breeze on spacious decks, enjoy a relaxing swim in 5 majestic pools, laze around in spacious cabins and suites, savour flavours from around the world in exotic restaurants and rejuvenate with exclusive spa and wellness. That’s not all! If you are a Formula One racing fan, MSC Cruise has a specially designed cruise itinerary in November 2024 partnering with F1 Qatar Grand Prix offering a unique chance to witness the thrilling Qatar Grand Prix at Doha's Lusail International Circuit when the cruise docks on the port.
Departures: November 2024, December 2024, January 2025, March 2025
Long-Haul Luxury Cruises from Abu Dhabi
Seeking a sea sojourn that covers more destinations besides UAE and the Middle East. These two exceptional cruise vacations from Abu Dhabi lets you spend days in the comfort of exquisite cruises while crossing seas to visit destinations in Africa, Europe and Asia.
Regent Seven Seas - 22 Nights Spice Trail Sail - Abu Dhabi to Singapore
(For adventurer travellers seeking comprehensive luxury voyage)
Sail farther from UAE and explore more! If you are planning ahead in 2026, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has an exciting cruise departing from Abu Dhabi to Singapore at the end of 2026. This 23-day voyage takes you through some of the most breathtaking destinations starting with Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Islands in the UAE. You then reach Qatar and dock in Doha, before sailing into the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea to reach Mumbai, India. The cruise explores the beautiful western coastal towns of Goa, Mangalore, and Kochi in India. Continuing along the Indian Ocean, visit Colombo and Hambantota in Sri Lanka before heading towards the Andaman Sea to experience the tropical ambience of Thailand and Malaysia and reach your final destination, Singapore.
Departures: December 2026
Costa Cruise - 36 Nights Mediterranean and UAE cruise
(For the Luxury World Travellers)
Sail beyond the Middle East on a month-long cruise if you are eager to experience an adventurous sea voyage into the Africa and Mediterranean destinations. Costa Cruise’s Costa Smeralda is ready to set sail in 2025 from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, touching Muscat before meandering towards the Indian Ocean to reach Port Louis and Cape Town. Over the next fortnight, you would venture to the Canary Islands, Morocco, and finally to the stunning city of Barcelona in Spain.
Departures: February 2025
Conclusion
While Abu Dhabi offers unique experiences like dinner-on-board dhow cruises, these shorter trips can't compare to the grandeur and leisure of a full-fledged cruise vacation. A cruise holiday from Abu Dhabi is perfect for globetrotters, couples, and those seeking a sea adventure. So go ahead and pick your favourite cruising experience in the Middle East - It is undoubtedly the best way of holidaying at sea and land without overwhelming crowds and amid lip-smacking food, fantastic entertainment, soothing relaxation times amid outstanding service from a highly experienced crew.